Automatic handweaving loom device



July 12, 1960 F. SCHRAEGLE AUTOMATIC HANDWEAVING LOOM DEVICE Filed June 27, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Fr/fz Schraeg/e mm gWw w ATTORNEYS y 12, 1950 F. SCHRAEGLE 2,944,569

AUTOMATIC HANDWEAVING LOOM DEVICE Filed June 27, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I NVE N TOR Fri/z Schraeg/e Mww ATTORNEYS July 12, 1960 F. SCHRAE'GLE 2,944,569

AUTOMATIC HANDWEAVING LOOM DEVICE Filed June 27, 1957 I 4 Sheets-$119M. s

mvfiNToR Fri/z .Schraag/e ATTORNEYS y 1960 F. SCHRAEGLE 2,944,569

sAUTOMATIC HANDWEAVING LOOM DEVICE File d June 27, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 1 NV EN TOR. Fri/z Schraeg/e MfW ATTORNEYS 2,944,569 V I AUTOMATIC HANDWEAVING'LOOM DEVICE Fritz Schraegle, 2 Parkstrasse, Bensheim/Bergstrasse, Germany r Filed June 27, 1957, Set. Nb. 668,383 Claims priority, application Germany Feb. 26, 1955 ,7 Claims. (61.139-33) This invention relates to looms,,and more particularly, to a weaving device in which the, reciprocation of an automatic pattern-selecting mechanism is operated by a dual pedal arrangement; This is a continuation-in-part application of my copending application, Serial No. 539,249, filed October 7,1955, now abandoned.

In known loom construction, particularly in the floor looms or 'weaving machines; the setting of a pattern in the harness, the pedaling out of the sequenceof the pattern is accomplished by a single spring-loaded pedal. The spring-loaded pedal arrangement does not provide the evenness of operation of the pattern-selecting mechanism, as is required for a smoothly operated loom. In the harnessing of a loom, there is required considerable specialized knowledgein regard to effecting the proper tie-up. Also, intricate knowledge is required to set up the desired pattern. Before a loom can be placed in operation, work such as'threading or draw-in must be ar- 7 ranged properly and the tie-up effected according to the pattern selected. The weaving of the pattern or design after the patterns are tied up requires the operation of a number of spring-loaded foot-pedals operated in a pre scribed order. This makes handweaving'a difficult task requiring a high degree of skill and coordinated effort.

In order to overcome these difliculties in the art of weaving, this invention contemplates a weaving device in which a double pedal is used to effect the actuation of .an automatic pattern-selecting device so as to operate and control the pattern during the weaving operation. This arrangement eliminates the need for a complicated pedal mechanism and balancing spring action, and effects the simplification of the handweaving loom making the pattern selection automatic. 1

The object of this invention is to provide an automatic handweaving device in which the actuation ofa pattern selecting device is under control of the operator at all times during the weaving operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic handweaving device in which pattern selection is accomplished by a double pedal arrangement, one pedal for the raising and the other-pedal for lowering the mechanism.

A still further object ofthe invention is to provide a double pedal arrangement for controlling actuation of the heddle frames automatically 'in accordance with a set pattern. p a

Another object of the invention is to provide for'the indexing of a pattern block selecting mechanism to present a set pattern during each stroke of the weaving operation by a double pedal arrangement attached to opposite sides of the loom frame. g I

These and other objects will become apparent on examination of the drawings, description and claims.

p The invention will be described in greater detail in the following paragraphs by reference to-the figures of the accompanying drawings, in'which a preferred form I Figure ,1 is a plan view 2,944,569 Patented July 12,- 1960 P'* we 2 of the invention andmodifications thereof have lustrated.

Inthe figures:

been ilof the automatichandweaving loom showing the position of the dual pedal arrangement for actuating the pattern-selegting mechanism,

Figure 2 is ya. cross-sectional view ,along the line 2+2 of Figure 1 showing the indexingpattern block in indexed position and the mechanism for raising the heddle showing the indexing pattern block mechanism,

Figure 6 is a sideelevational view showing the indexing pattern block mechanism,

Figure 7 is a plan view taken on hne 7-7 of Figure .6 showing the indexing-pattern block mechanism,

Figure 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on the line 88 of Figure 7 showing the swingable finger in operating position.

7 Figure 9 is a front elevational view showing an alternate form of the indexing pattern block mechanism having a spiral track for indexing the block,

Figure 10 is a side elevational view showing an alternate form of the indexing pattern block mechanism having a spiral track for indexing the block,

Figure 11 is a plane view taken on line 11-11 of Figwe 10 showing an alternate form of the indexing pattern block mechanism having a spiral track for indexing the block, j

Figure 12 is a fragmentary plane view of the top of the indexing pattern block mechanism showing the spiral track of the detent arrangement for guiding the block in the spiral track, and

Figure 13 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the line 1313 of Figure 11 showing the swingable finger in operating position.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, numeral 10 designates a loom device having a loom frame 11. In the rear portion of loom frame 11 is a warp beam roller 12 carrying a work beam 13 which lies horizontally in the frame of the loom. In the front of the loom is a cloth beam roller 14 carrying the cloth beam 15 formed during the weaving operation. In the center of the loom is a harness chest 16 holding a group of four heddle frames 17 in I slots 18. The heddle frames' 17 are capable of operating in a vertical manner in the slots. At the bottom of each heddle frame 17 is a curved notched portion 19 adapted to receive a curved boss 20 adapted to the end of a heddle shaft 21. Each heddle shaft 21 is pivotally mounted at its center on a pivot pin 22. The opposite end of the heddle shaft 21 extends beyond the right-hand side of the harness chest 16. A number of heddle shafts in position form a series of levers which operate corresponding heddle frames arranged in the harness chest to form the desired shed. At the bottom portion of the harness chest is a horizontal cross-beam 23' fixed with respect to the frame of the loom, downwardly extending from the center of the cross-beam 23, is a yoke member 24. Pivotally mounted on yoke member 24 is an indexing mechanism pivot lever 25 held in position by a pivot pin 26. Lever 25 has an extension 27 which extends t0 wards the left-hand side of the loom. The other end of lever 25 extends beyond the right side of the loom and has mounted thereto a vertical connecting link 29 which is free to pivot on a pivot pin 30 at said other end of lever 25. This arrangement provides a pivot lever which pivots about the center of the loom to effect the raising and lowering of vertical link 29. Extending outwardly from each of the rear legs 31 of the loom frame Iii are pedals 32 and 32'. Each pedal is operatively connected to the leg by pins 33 and 33', respectively. The face of each of the pedals defines a hole 34 at a distance nearer to the extendedend of the pedal. p

The hole in the left pedal 32 is in line with a hole to the end 27 of lever 25, and has a cord 35 vertically disposed therebetween to operatively connect the left-hand pedal with the extended portion of lever 25. The righthand pedal is in like manner disposed under the righthand portion of lever 25 defining a hole in which cord 36 operatively connects the right-hand pedal to the extended part of lever 25. p 7

This arrangement provides a means by which the vertical lever is moved upwardly when pedal 32 is moved in a downward direction and moved downwardly when pedal 32' is moved in a dovmward direction thereby providing a see-sawing motion for the control of link 29.

Now referring to Figure 3, it will be appreciated that Figure 3 illustrates a side elevation of the loom device with the center portion being a cross-section thereof. Reference numeral 17 refers to heddle frames in an upwardly extending portion. The result of this position is to form shed 37.' It is seen that pedal 32' is in a downwardly extending position.

Figure 4 illustrates the pivotally mounted pedal 32' which is mounted by means of pin 33. The view also illustrates the use of wheel 38 at the rear leg. It can be seen from Figure 2 that both rear legs of the loom ride on wheels. The use of wheels facilitates the movement of the loom device when desired. A conventional locking feature is illustrated in order to prevent walking of the loom device during its operation.

Figures 5,6, 7 and 8 illustrate one embodiment of the pattern-selecting mechanism 45. The pattern-selecting mechanism is attached to the frame by top bracket 46 and to the harness chest by bottom bracket 47. Disposed between brackets 46 and 47 is a vertical shaft 48 upon which the pattern-selecting mechanism rides. Attached to the side of the harness chest are two vertically extending parallel flanges 4-9 and 50, the rear flange 50 having an inwardly inclined portion 51 with respect to the flanges. The flanges 49 and 50 have vertical guide portions 52 and 53 disposed at right angles to the side of the harness chest, and the inclined portion 51 has a cam portion 54 perpendicular to the side of the loom frame.

Centrally mounted on vertical shaft 38 is an indexing pattern block 55 free to rotate and move vertically thereon. The indexing block 55 has four vertical sides or faces 56 of equal length. Each side has four notches 57 evenly spaced in the lower part of the face and extending inwardly into the bottom of the block. Mounted in each notch is a swingable finger 58 which pivots about a pivot pin from a downwardly extending, vertical position to a horizontally extended position with respect to the face in which the finger is mounted. By this arrangement, any one of the four fingers in each face can be placed in a horizontal position, thereby presenting a pattern arrangement in each face of the indexing block. Each quarter turn of the block brings the desired pattern selection in the form of horizontally disposed fingers, as the block is indexed about shaft 48. The fingers are so fitted that the sides of each finger frictionally bind on the side of the notch in which it is mounted so that the fingers are retained in a horizontal position after setting. It will be appreciated, however, that any form of detent or catch means may be employed to hold the finger in a horizontal position and still permit movement from one position to the other; such means may be a removable, horizontally fitted pin which, when inserted, projects horizontally from the face or other like mechanlsms.

Integral with the top surface of the indexingblock is a Vertical indexing dog 59 centrally located and disposed around shaft 43. The indexing dog has four evenly spaced, slanted cam surfaces 60, each terminating in a point at one end and in a groove at the bottom of the slanted surface. In the top portion of the shaft 48 is a crosspin 61 having shaft extensions 62 for engaging the slanted cam surfaces 6d at the top portion of the ascent of the indexing block. H 7 V v V v I The indexing block 55 is rotatably mounted'on a cylindrical hub 63 centrally located around shaft 48. 'Hub section 63 has oppositely disposed, horizontally extending pins 64 which connect with links 29 (see Figure 2).

In the shaft 48 is a vertically extending groove 65 providing a track in which a dog-point set screw 66 located in the cylindrical hub rides so as to.allow only the hub to be actuated vertically on shaft 48 by the vertical movement of link 29. This arrangement provides the connecting link between the traverse lever 25 operated by the dual foot pedal mechanism to effect thevertical reciprocation of the pattern-selecting mechanism.

Each face 56 is provided with an extension 67 in the form of a vertically disposed flange which is a continuation of each face 56 and projects beyond the adjacent perpendicular face forming the corner of the block (see Figure 7). The extensions 67 are in the direction of rotation of the block and when each face is parallel with the side of the loom, there is presented a flange extending inwardly toward the side of the loom frame and one parallel therewith.

The indexing pattern block 55 is maintained after each indexing in a position so that one face of the block is parallel to the side of the loom frame during the lower portion of its travel. In this position, the flange perpendicular to the face of the block is adjacent to the verti cally disposed guide portion 52 of bracket 49 while the flange parallel to the side of the loom frame lies perpendicular to the vertical guide portion 53 of the bracket 55). Upward motion of the indexing block causes vertical flange portions 52 and 53 to guide the face of the indexing block until the face is clear of the guide portion at which time the indexing block is free to be rotated. Near the top of the upward movement, opposite cam surfaces 60 of the indexing dog 59 are brought into contact with the short pins 62, and further upward movement causes the indexing block to turn through an arc of about 70 as the fixed pins 62 ride over the cam surfaces 60 until the top of the stroke has been reached. Downward motion of the pattern block brings one of the extended flanges 67 into engagement with slanted cam surface 53 causing the block to be indexed through an additional 20 arc to effect a quarter turning of the block and aligning of the next face of the block parallel with the side of the loom having thereon a different pattern arrangement. Thus, there is provided an indexing mechanism which effects the turning of a block through onequarter of a revolution to present in sequence horizontal fingers extending toward the side of the loom according to a set pattern arrangement, as will be described later in more detail. 7

Figures 9, 10, 11 and 12 show another embodiment of a pattern-selecting mechanism, generally, 70. This patternselecting mechanism is attached to the harness chest by top bracket '71 and bottom bracket '72. Disposed between brackets 71 and 72 is a vertical shaft '73 upon which the pattern-selecting mechanism rides.

Centrally mounted on vertical shaft 73 is an indexing pattern block 74 free to rotate and move vertically thereon. The indexing block 74 has four vertical sides or faces 75 of equal length. Each side has four notches 76 evenly spaced in the lower part of the face and extending inwardly into the bottom of the block. Mounted in each notch is a swingable finger 77 which pivots about a pivot pin from a downwardly extending, vertical position to a horizontally extended position with respect to the face in which the. finger is mounted. By this arrangeselection in the form of horizontally dis-posed fingers, as

the block is indexed about shaft 73. The fingers are so fitted that the sides of each f nger frictionally bind on the side of the notch in whichit is mounted sothat the fingers are retained in a horizontal position after setting.

It will be appreciated, however, that -any form of detent or catch means may be employed to hold the finger in a horizontal position'and still permit movement from one position to the other; suchmeans may be a removable, horizontally fitted pm which, when inserted, projects horizontally from the face or other like mechanisms.

The indexing block-74 isrotatably mounted on a" cylindrical hub 78 centrally located around shaft 73. Hub section 78 has oppositely disposed, horizontally extending pins 79 which connect'with links 29. (see Figure 2). This arrangement provides the connecting link between the traverse lever operated by the dual foot pedal mechanisrn to effect the vertical reciprocation of the pattern selecting mechanism. .7 i

Shaft 73 is grooved to form guide tracks 80, generally. The shaft has two. grooved tracks 81 having a constant depth and 180 apart running longitudinally along a majorportion of the shaft 73. Additionally, the shaft has two grooved tracks 82 having a decreasing depth at a point and 180 apart and 90 from tracks 81. Tracks 82 are also longitudinal along a major portion of the shaft73. Tracks 81 communicate with tracks8 2 by means of upwardly slanting grooved tracks having-camlike configurations. Figure 9 illustrates one of two grooved tracks 83 which communicates with track 81 at a point somewhat above the indexing block 74 when the block is at substantially its lowest position. Track '83 slants upwardly, leftward, in an arcuate manner to communicate with track 82 at a point near the upper end portion of shaft 73. Figure 10 illustrates one of the grooved tracks 84 which communicates track 82 with constant depth track 81. Track 82 has a depth identical to the depth of track 81 except at point 85 and the region directly above. Following the track in a downward direction towards point 85 the grooved track becomes more shallow until at point 85 the groove is almost non-existent. usual depth and remains constant thereafterp At substantially point 85 track 84 communicates with track 82. Track 84 slants upwardly, leftward, in an arcuate manner to communicate with track 81 at a point near the upper end portion of shaft 73. It will be appreciated from the foregoing that this arrangement effects a switching of an object riding track 82.

The above disclosed tracks provide guides for the indexing block 74. Block 74 has mounted, within the inner periphery of the portion in slidable contact with shaft 73, dog-pins 86 and 87. The dog-pins are urged outwardly by suitable springs. The dog-pins are in perpendic'ular relationship and are of suitable size tor-travel in the tracks provided. It is seen, that due to their. being perpendicular to one another, one dog-pin rides in track 81 when the other rides in track 82. Additionally, since the slanting tracks are also equ-i-distant, one dog-pin will ride in one of the tracks 83 while the other rides in one of the other tracks 84.

The indexing pattern block 74 is maintained after each indexing in a position so that one face of the block is parallel to the side of the loom frame during the lower portion of its travel. Upward motion of the indexing block causes dog-pins to ride in either track 81 or 82, depending upon their initial position. The dog-pin Directly below point 85 the track is again the 6 dog-pins have completed their ride through theirslanted tracks the indexing block has been rotated through 90 and has reached the uppermost limit of its vertical ascent. As the indexing block is lowered, the dog-pins ride the vertical'tracks. The dog-pin riding in track 82, towards point 85, is compressed into the indexing block against its spring- Figure 12 being across-section of the indexing block 74. and shaft'73 when at position 12-=12 of Figure 10, shows dog-pin 87 being compressed into the indexing travelling in track 82 is prevented from continuing in a heddle shaft 21.

block by face 88 of track 82. When the indexing block is lowered to a position so that the dog-pin is below point 85, the dog-pin springs out again to ride in 'track 82, "again having its usual depth. i

Thus there is provided an indexing mechanism which effects the turning of a block through one-quarter of a revolution to present in sequence horizontal fingers extending toward the side of the loom according to a set pattern arrangement. It is seenthateach reciprocation provides a new face of the indexing block carrying the extending fingers. It will be appreciated that, although the pattern selectingmechanisms illustrated show square indexing blocks, any polygonal block having equal sides may be used with a corresponding number of heddle shafts to effect the automatic pattern selection during the weaving operation. y 1

Positioned in the middle of the frame of the loom is a harness-chest 16 having a -seriesof vertically aligned slots 18 oppositely arranged on each side of the loom. Slidably mounted in slots 18 is a series of four parallel heddle frames 16 lying adjacent to each other in-a vertical position (see Figures 2 and 3). The bottom of each heddle frame has a centrally located circular cavity 19 adapted to receive circular boss 20 forming one end of v Each'heddle shaft is pivotally mounted at' the center of the shaft portion on a pivot pin 22, which is secured to the frame of the loom. The other ends of the heddle shafts extend beyond the side of the loom frame between brackets 49 and 50 of the one embodiment and brackets 71 and 72 of the other; and in vertical alignment with and positioned directly under the fingers 58, of the one embodiment and fingers 77 of the other, of the face of the indexing block lying parallel to the side of the loom. Each heddle shaft is operatively connected to one heddle frame through the circular boss 20 so that pivotal movement of any group of the heddle shafts produces the raising and lowering of the operatively connected heddle frame. The protruding ends of the heddle shafts between brackets 49 and 50 or brackets 71 and 72 are acted upon in accordance with the pattern arrangement present on each face of the indexing pattern block by the fingers which are extended horizontally in accordance with a set pattern arrangement. Each downward movement of the block causes the extended fingers to engage the corresponding ends of the heddle shaft, thereby raising the corresponding heddle frames to form the desired shed.

In the practice of this invention the loom is set up in the usual manner for accepting the shuttle when the heddles are raised to form the shed. The indexing mechanism is adjusted so that a particular pattern may' be' woven. This is done by bringing the-fingers of the indexing block into horizontally extending positions. It is seen that in order to raise the desired heddles the right handed foot pedal must be deflected downwardly. Through vlink 29 the appropriate fingers of the indexing mechanism press downwardly on the appropriate heddle shafts which pivot on pin 22 while boss 20 rides in notch 19 to raise the appropriate heddle. When the shed is formed the usual weaving action is instituted and completed. The right-handed pedal is then released returning the indexing mechanism to its balanced position. In order to index a different pattern, the left-handed pedal is depressed resulting in the raising of the indexing mechanism so that the camming means disclosed, in connecthe edge of the weaving is about 3 or 3 /2 inches from t the breast beam. The mechanism for winding may be of any conventional type.

Also, during the weaving process the edge of the woven material which has a tendency to draw towards the center can be stretched by the use of a width maintainer in a well-known conventional manner. The width maintainer may be connected to the beater so that the actuation of the beater will perform the necessary stretching of the material in the cloth beam.

The loom of this invention operates silently and efiiciently in that pattern indexing is made rapidly and automatically. Thus, there is effected a handweaving apparatus in which the individual operations are accomplished with greater smoothness than was heretofore possible.

It will be apparent that many changes and modifications of the several features of the device described herein may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing description is by way of illustration of the invention rather than limitation upon the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a loom device having a pattern-selecting mechanism adapted to raise a number of heddles through actuation of heddle shafts in accordance with a set pattern to form sheds, the improvement which comprises a pattern-selecting mechanism having thereon a plurality of heddle shaft actuating means, said means adapted to engage said heddle shafts, a first pedal, a second pedal, said first pedal connected by linkage means to lower said pattern-selecting mechanism whereby to raise said heddles in accordance with a selected pattern, said second pedal connected by linkage means to raise said patternselecting mechanism whereby to move another selected pattern into position.

2. In a loom device having a pattern-selecting mechanism adapted to raise a number of heddles through actuation of heddle shafts in accordance with a set pattern to form sheds, the improvement which comprises a pattern-selecting mechanism, said pattern-selecting mechanism being a rotatable block having a series of faces, said having thereon a plurality of heddle shaft actuating means, said means adapted to engage said heddle shafts, linkage means to transmit motive power to operate said pattern-selecting mechanism whereby to raise said heddles in accordance with a selected pattern, linkage means to transmit motive power to operate said pattern-selecting mechanism whereby to automatically move another face having a selected pattern into position.

3. In a loom device having a pattern-selecting mechanism adapted to raise a number of heddles through actuation of heddle shafts in accordance with a set pattern to form sheds, the improvement which comprises a pattern-selecting means, said pattern-selecting mechanism being a rotatable block having'a series of faces, said faces having thereon a plurality of heddle shaft actuating means, said means adapted to engage said heddle shafts, a first pedal, a second pedal, said first pedal is connected by linkage means to lower said pattern-selecting mechanism whereby to raise said heddles inaccordance with a selected pattern, said second pedal is connected by linkage means to raise said pattern-selecting mechanism, meansprovided whereby to move another face having a selected pattern into position.

4. In a loom device having a pattern-selecting mechanism adapted to raise a number of heddles through actuation of heddle shafts in accordance with a set pattern to form sheds, the improvement which comprises a pattern-selecting means, said pattern-selecting mechanism comprising a rotatable block slidably mounted on a shaft, said block having a plurality of faces, said faces having thereon a plurality of heddle shaft'actuating means, said means adapted to engage said heddle shafts, a first pedal, a second pedal, said first pedal is connected by linkage means to said block to move it in one direction on said shaft whereby toact on said heddle shafts to raise said heddles in accordance with a selected pattern, said second pedal is connected by linkage means to said block to move it in the opposite direction, means provided whereby to rotate said block as it moves in said opposite direction, whereby to move another face having a selected pattern into position.

5. The loom device having a pattern-selecting mechanism of claim 4 wherein the means provided to rotate said block is a cam means integral with one surface of said block and a cam-riding means attached near one end of said shaft.

6. The loom device having a pattern-selecting mechanism of claim 4 wherein the means provided to rotate said block comprises guide tracks along a substantial portion of said shaft, pin means mounted in said block positioned to travel in said guide tracks whereby to rotate said block as it moves in one direction.

7. The loom device having a pattern-selecting mechanism of claim 4 wherein the means provided to rotate said block comprises four equi-distant longitudinal grooved guide tracks on said shafts, four equi-distant oblique grooved guide tracks in the same plane on said shaft disposed to communicate said longitudinal tracks, two oppositely disposed tracks being of constant depth, the other two oppositely disposed tracks being of diminishing depth from the end portion of the shaft towards the position at which the oblique tracks communicate, thereafter having depth identical to other tracks, pin means mounted in said block positioned to travel in said guide tracks whereby to rotate said block as it moves in the direction away from the heddle shafts and to move it without rotation as it moves in the other.

References Qited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 52,161 Gordon et a1. Jan. 23, 1866 57,226 Walker et a1 Aug. 14, 1866 663,357 Newcomb Dec. 4-, 1900 2,696,838 Purrington Dec. 14, 1954 2,815,772 Bejeuhr Dec. 10, 1957 

